Our Fixation With Happiness - Deepstash
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Our Fixation With Happiness

Our Fixation With Happiness

  • Most of us actively try to build our lives around a constant state of happiness.
  • The problem is that very few people choose to do great things or want to make an effort to achieve something (which results in happiness).
  • Instead, most people simply rush towards attaining happiness, which they mistakenly assume will be a result of their avoiding unhappiness at all costs.
  • This neurotic, obsessive pursuit of happiness is what leads to problems like depression and listlessness (acedia).

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MORE IDEAS ON THIS

Living In The Matrix

Philosopher Robert Nozick asks a hypothetical question which is also shown in movies like The Matrix and Vanilla Sky.

Would we use a machine that gives us any experience we want, letting us live the life of our dreams in a virtual world, while we are lying still in a ...

116

488 reads

The Meaning Of A Good Life

Maximisation of pleasure is erroneously thought to be the path towards a good life. Avoidance of pain, disappointment, injury, sickness, boredom, loneliness and sadness is what is generally pursued by all, not realizing that pain and suffering are inevitable if one is alive.

Philosophers l...

116

531 reads

Aristotleโ€™s Ultimate Purpose Of Life

Eudaimonia, or the state of flourishing was discussed by Aristotle as a better approach towards life, instead of making it a constant pleasure parade.

This ultimate purpose of life is realized through our actions, choices, responses and habits. Happiness, according to Aristotle, i...

119

556 reads

Deriving Meaning Through Suffering

Nietzsche, the famous philosopher, argues that man seeks pain as long as it brings him meaning, and eventually happiness, contentment, or satisfaction. The fire of misery and suffering isnโ€™t extinguished with pleasure, but with meaning.

If our suffering is worthwhile, we are on the...

130

569 reads

Virtuous Action And The Middle Path

Just like bravery lies between the two extremes of cowardice and foolhardiness, virtuous action lies between the extremes of pleasure-seeking and listlessness.

Happiness is in effect connected to virtue, and any flourishing requires others, making happiness less of an emotional state, and ...

106

435 reads

Life Is Nothing Without Pain

Anything good in life requires some amount of toil and suffering.

Writing a novel, preparing and eventually running a marathon, or giving birth requires sacrifice, patience, pain and suffering, eventually producing something meaningful and joyous.

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CURATED FROM

IDEAS CURATED BY

aryaman

General writer. Pop culture geek.

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Other curated ideas on this topic:

The psychology of happiness

  1. Hedonic happiness is happiness conceptualized as experiencing more pleasure and less pain; it is composed of an affective component (high positive affect and low negative affect) and a cognitive component (satisfaction with oneโ€™s life);
  2. Eudaimonic happiness conceptualizes happiness a...

The Paradoxical Game Of Happiness

  • People are always pushing towards finding happiness in whatever circumstances that are thrust upon them.
  • Happiness and unhappiness both promote creativity, though of a different quality.
  • Employees who have challenging but not impossible goals appear to be happy and product...

Ways to deal with depression

Understand the common triggers.ย Once you understand which one is behind your depression, you can better learn how to cope with depression.

Feelings of loss, โ€œless thanโ€ and โ€œnever going to happenโ€ are the major reasons that most people dip into depression. Loss can result from a l...

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